Update on my console expansion unit; wireless keyboard mouse

[Anthony817]

WOW DUDE, JUST WOW! That has GOT to be the ultimate Dreamcast mod right there! I have got to see a video of this in action man! That looks too awesome with the plugs coming out of it. Makes it look like some kind of steampunk machine or something like a car engine with spark plug wires or something! PLEASE make a video of this wonderful machine!

You must be a tech wizard. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you, and how long have you been doing stuff this awesome with electronics? Man, I just wish I had your knowledge and know-how, I would be modding my system just like that.

Also, I would very much so like to take a gander at those innards of the karaoke unit and how you have all the recievers arranged and whatnot.

[Macabre]

Its pretty dusty in those pics, and I need to refinish the upper controller face plate (the black doesn't match 100%). Its still mostly in parts - almost done with the A/V port.

The only thing thats really holding me back is a problem i'm having with the main controller, as no one has yet to offer any help. I also cannot currently afford to find non-IR mouse/keyboard as this current topics relating to.

I'll post a video of it in action when its done.

I'm actually a newbie when it comes to this sort of thing - I just did a pile of research and border-lined harassed people at forums like benheck & nfg. I have a huge pile of half finished projects, mostly all waiting for one minor fix for completion, as I'm not very good with electronics. I'm an art junkie who has good ideas, but barely the skill to pull them off.

[spinksy]

Only just seen this - awesome work!

I would MUCH prefer it if it was white though (don't mean that nasty - I just love Dreamcasts the way they are), I'm actually in the middle of a similar project to this but I'm keeping mine well under wraps till it's finished! (mine won't have as much stuff as yours though!)

Been planning mine for months lol - I'm now stuck as I'm waiting for some parts to come in post.

Anyway - as for the problem your having is it just when a vmu is inserted? (does the same thing happen if a rumble pack is inserted) I'll post your problem on another forum as I have a feeling it may get answered there

[Macabre]

Anyway - as for the problem your having is it just when a vmu is inserted? (does the same thing happen if a rumble pack is inserted) I'll post your problem on another forum as I have a feeling it may get answered there

I shall test a rumble pack when I can get to my apartment.

Any help would be much appreciated!

This damn controller flaw is literally the only thing that is a long-term stop on this project. I could always down-grade to a ps2 controller, but I would much prefer to keep this xbox one!

[Macabre]

I've finished the HD A/V port, and am actually considering adding a small audio amplifier (if i can find one to my liking) that might enhance the sound (as there is still a small amount of space not being used.


It really depends if I can find any audio-enhancing device that would improve the sound quality of the dreamcast... Not likely, but just an idea.


I've also had to make a small incision to the left of the units controller cord export, as I (idiotically) forgot about the vcd remotes IR receiver. I currently put two red clear lenses over the receivers hole so that it doesn't look "as bad" but I'll most likely do more work to make it look better after I get more done.


As expected, my current generation USB mouse does not work via the USB -> Ps/2 -> dreamcast adapter complex. There seems to be a gap between our "current generation" mice and strictly PS/2 (pre optical/wireless) mice, where some USB mice come with the USB -> PS/2 adapters I ordered. Most of these mice sell claiming that they don't require installation guides.

I'll be ordering a 3-button + scroll wheel one of these "middle generation" mice to test with, as they are damn cheap at the moment.



This also means that any current generation USB using devices (such as the bluetooth adapter) most likely will not work.

[Macabre]

Update~

The main controller problem was fixed. It was in fact a power problem (not enough amps to go from the controller daughter board to two adapters and one receiver). I fixed this by adding an additional 5v/1a V/gnd from the Total Control Plus -> Ps2 to Xbox adapter.

It works as I want it now, and as an added bonus, it added a power switch to this complex so that I can activate the receiver without having to turn on the system. Oddly enough the extra power is enough to power the entire daughter board, so when the system is turned off, but the controller is turned on, the daughter board all lights up, and even the dreamcast fan runs.

(this might be a bad thing in the long run, so I'm not going to play with it too much, the idea is that the entire thing will be turned on at once, so hopefully this odd occurrence won't have any negative effects).


As for the mice, I collected a few friends USB wireless/optical mice, dating back a few years. None work, not even those claiming to work with a PS/2 downgrading plug. I specifically ordered one "mini mouse" that the box & seller claimed the mouse worked perfectly on PS/2 computer ports, and didn't require any drivers. And as with all the USB mice I tried, the receiver did flash/light up (when it had that option), as it was gaining power, but the receiver did NOT work with the mouse.

I think its safe to claim that NO usb mouse will work on the dreamcast, unless anyone feels the need to do more extensive testing.


I also, on a complete whim, bid and won a 99 cent wireless used mouse on ebay.

This mouse oddly enough works exactly as desired, having both RF frequencies, and being 3button + scroll wheel + optical. The buttons are assigned exactly as a dreamcast mouse is (in unreal tournament, the left is main fire, the right is alternate, pushing the scroll wheel in jumps, and the wheel selects weapons).

The wheel is although very stiff, and this mouse is rather sensitive to its surface (common early optical mice problem, not so much if using an actual pad). Without adjusting any sensitivity in game, it worked with ease, only giving me very slight grief twice when I looked strait up and the mouse decided to barrel roll on me.


Oddly enough I didn't expect it to work, and had already ordered an adesco wireless rf keyboard + mouse combo that has a pair of ps2 adapters (a very cheap $25 buy). Hopefully it works also, and I can choose the better of the two mice.


I also have a sun faded sega saturn japanese mouse, that I had planned on scrapping for parts for this. I'd like to stuff the (best) working mouse parts inside this shell after I do a wheel cut-out, and give it a fancy paint job.




On a bad note; I did break a part of the HD upconverter. I decided to save a bit of space by removing the male plugs of the VGA input on the board, and after soldering the 15 wires from the dc-vga box to the 15 pins on the upconverter, and tested it (still working), I removed the plastic port. It no longer seems to be working, and I'll have to dive head-first into this to figure out why.